On the occasion of the 2024 International Conference on Nuclear Security: Shaping the Future we highlight the following common principles on nuclear security:
1. We reaffirm that nuclear disarmament remains the highest priority and stress that progress in nuclear disarmament is urgently needed. We express our deep concern with the lack of progress in nuclear disarmament, in an international context where nuclear warfare risk has reached its highest point in decades. It is imperative to reverse the flagrant erosion of the international norm against the possession, proliferation, testing and use of nuclear weapons.
2. We underscore the importance of achieving the complete, irreversible and verifiable elimination of nuclear arsenals and its positive impact on nuclear security, cognisant that the vast majority of nuclear materials globally is in the possession of nuclear armed States outside IAEA safeguards. In this regard, we recall that the Agency has a critical role and experience in verifying nuclear disarmament.
3. We note that nearly 90% of the global stockpile of HEU is in weapons or available for use in weapon programs. Furthermore, we recall that nuclear material for military purposes is not exempt from international obligations for their physical protection, a key element in nuclear security. We call upon all Member States possessing HEU and separated plutonium in any application, which require special precautions to ensure their nuclear security, to make sure they are appropriately secured and accounted for, by and in the relevant State, and further call upon Member States, on a voluntary basis, to further minimize HEU when technically and economically feasible.
4. We reaffirm the inalienable right of States to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and that all States should ensure that measures to strengthen nuclear security do not hamper international cooperation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear applications.
5. We note the growing interest in advanced and innovative nuclear technologies and reactor designs, including Small Modular Reactors and assert that nuclear security considerations in this regard, must strictly be in line with the responsibility of a State.
6. Finally, we reaffirm the core principle that nuclear security is the responsibility of a State. We acknowledge the central role of the IAEA in facilitating international cooperation in support of States fulfilling their national responsibility for nuclear security. We support the technical work of the Agency, informed by the detailed positions of Member States on specific nuclear security issues, and decisions adopted by the appropriate policy-making bodies of the Agency.
